Raynham officials, residents discuss effects of slot parlor in town

That was the sentiment that came from a meeting held at Town Hall Wednesday night, in which a consulting firm presented its first look at the impacts a slot parlor would have on Raynham.

By Amy Carboneau

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

By Amy Carboneau

Posted Apr. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 25, 2013 at 6:50 PM

By Amy Carboneau

Posted Apr. 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 25, 2013 at 6:50 PM

RAYNHAM

» Social News

There’s a lot more work to be done.

That was the sentiment that came from a meeting held at Town Hall Wednesday night, in which a consulting firm presented its first look at the impacts a slot parlor would have on Raynham.

As Raynham Park owner George Carney readies his site-specific application for review in a bid at the state’s sole slot parlor license, the town is preparing for its potential effects.

The meeting was, in part, a kickoff presentation put together by Connecticut-based B & S Consulting, the firm hired by the town and paid for by the applicant to study the potential effects. It was also a platform for residents to voice their concerns.

One primary concern for John Cockerham, who was one of about 40 residents to attend the meeting, was traffic.

Cockerham, 65, urged the firm to study traffic, particularly along Elm Street East, which runs from Route 138 to Route 104 in Bridgewater.

“Traffic has increased there over the last few years,” Cockerham said.

Traffic will likely only get worse, he added, with the town’s second Walmart slated to open in early fall and a 40B housing project in the works on the other side of Elm Street East in Bridgewater.

“I hope you’ll give that a good look,” he told the firm.

The firm, hired on April 9, began its research the next day, starting with interviewing town employees.

Scott Hesketh, a licensed engineer and the firm’s traffic consultant on the project, said the firm will focus on intersection and analysis of roads nearby.

They expect the majority of traffic to be local, and the outside traffic to come up Route 495, he added.

Other basic planning concerns include signs, parking and site circulation, storm water management, landscaping and lighting.

“Twelve hundred and fifty slots is not a huge facility,” said Robert Birmingham, a certified planner with the firm. “So it’s not going to have the impact that Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have had on southeastern Connecticut.”

Internationally, gambling is a $1.5 trillion industry each year, in which 2.2 billion people participate, according to studies, Birmingham said.

“The point is, gaming is here to stay,” he added.

But that doesn’t mean the town doesn’t get a say.

“This state law has actually taken a lot of power and put it in the hands of the town,” said David Schweid, a town planner and the firm’s third member.

The town has two major votes to take in the coming weeks and months. Residents must ratify a mitigation agreement for the town, and also vote to accept the applicant’s proposal. Or no slots.

Phase one of Carney’s plan, if he wins the bid, is to place up to 1,250 slot machines in the lower level clubhouse at Raynham Park. In time, he plans to demolish the grandstand and construct a larger building, and retail center on site.

Page 2 of 2 - Further site plan details are not yet available, but Carney, who owns the Park, said after the meeting Wednesday that plans are coming along well.

He also spoke to residents’ concern during the meeting about who would be policing the property.

“I just want police and fire to know we have an understanding,” Carney said. “We’ll continue to use them as we have in the past.”

Studies show that local street crime does not increase dramatically with a casino, but on-site crime does go up, the firm noted.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is scheduled to award the category one license for a slot parlor before it awards the three casino licenses.

Per the gaming law, the slot parlor can hold up to 1,250 slot machines and must offer a minimum capital investment of $125 million. The facility will be taxed at 40 percent.

The firm, which is still compiling data, plans to hold another meeting in May to discuss the impacts in greater detail.

For residents who missed the meeting, the firm’s slideshow presentation will be available on the town’s website at www.town.raynham.ma.us. And the entire meeting will air on the Raynham Channel starting on Thursday.